Novel one-step synthesis of nickel encapsulated carbon nanotubes as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-01, Vol.44 (5), p.2685-2693
• Main Authors: Oluigbo, Chidinma Judith, Xie, Meng, Ullah, Nabi, Yang, Saisai, Zhao, Wentong, Zhang, Mingmei, Lv, Xiaomeng, Xu, Yuanguo, Xie, Jimin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Electrocatalytic activity; Encapsulated nickel; Hydrogen evolution reaction
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.215

In this work, we report the synthesis of Ni nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a facile and novel one-step pyrolysis method which are obtained from fumaric acid and nickel acetate as carbon and nickel sources respectively. The synthesized Ni encapsulated CNTs were characterized by various methods and were confirmed to possess large surface areas and numerous mesopores, they were applied as non-precious metal electrocatalyst for HER in 1 M KOH solution. The results show that the Ni encapsulated carbon nanotubes synthesized at 650 °C exhibited the best catalytic activity and stability with the smallest Tafel slope of 102 mV dec−1, an onset potential of 110 mV and overpotential of 266 mV to achieve a current density of −10 mA cm−2. The Ni nanoparticles encapsulated at the tip of CNT is an effective and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. [Display omitted] •A novel nickel encapsulated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was carried out.•The synthetic method is cheap, quick, simple and involves non-hazardous chemicals.•The catalyst is effective and stable for the HER in 1 M KOH solution.•Ni nanoparticles distributed at the tips of CNTs provided a synergistic activity.